Levofloxacin Injection

About your treatment

Your doctor has ordered levofloxacin, an antibiotic, to help treat your infection. The drug will be added to an intravenous fluid that will drip through a needle or catheter placed in your vein for at least 60 minutes, once a day.

Levofloxacin eliminates bacteria that cause many infections, including skin, respiratory tract, and urinary tract infections. It also kills bacteria that cause many venereal diseases. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how your infection and symptoms respond to the medication.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, seizures, colitis, stomach problems, vision problems, heart disease, or a history of stroke.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking levofloxacin, call your doctor immediately.

you should know that this drug may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and tiredness. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how levofloxacin affects you.

plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Levofloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

keep in mind that it causes increased or decreased blood sugar in patients taking antidiabetes medications or insulin. Careful monitoring of blood glucose is advised. If you experience a significant drop in blood glucose, stop taking levofloxacin and call your doctor.

Administering your medication

Before you administer levofloxacin, look at the solution closely. It should be clear and free of floating material. Gently squeeze the bag or observe the solution container to make sure there are no leaks. Do not use the solution if it is discolored, if it contains particles, or if the bag or container leaks. Use a new solution, but show the damaged one to your health care provider.

It is important that you use your medication exactly as directed. Do not stop your therapy on your own for any reason because your infection could worsen and result in hospitalization. Do not change your dosing schedule without talking to your health care provider. Your health care provider may tell you to stop your infusion if you have a mechanical problem (such as a blockage in the tubing, needle, or catheter); if you have to stop an infusion, call your health care provider immediately so your therapy can continue.

Side effects

Although side effects from levofloxacin are not common, they can occur. Tell your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

upset stomach

diarrhea

vomiting

stomach pain

headache

restlessness

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your health care provider immediately:

skin rash

itching

hives

difficulty breathing or swallowing

swelling of the face or throat

yellowing of the skin or eyes

dark urine

pale or dark stools

blood in urine

pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon

seizures

rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeats

Storing your medication

Your health care provider probably will give you a several-day supply of levofloxacin at a time. If you are receiving levofloxacin intravenously (in your vein), you probably will be told to store it in the refrigerator or freezer.

Take your next dose from the refrigerator 1 hour before using it; place it in a clean, dry area to allow it to warm to room temperature.

If you are told to store additional levofloxacin in the freezer, always move a 24-hour supply to the refrigerator for the next day's use.

Do not refreeze medications.

Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand what you need to store your medication properly.

Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place when you are not using them, and keep all medications and supplies out of reach of children. Your health care provider will tell you how to throw away used needles, syringes, tubing, and containers to avoid accidental injury.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control
center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed
or is not breathing, call local emergency services at
911.

Signs of infection

You should be aware of the symptoms of infection in case your infection worsens or a new infection develops. If you notice any of the following symptoms, tell your health care provider as soon as possible:

fever

unusual tiredness or weakness

chills

shaking

nighttime sweating

loss of appetite

If you are receiving levofloxacin in your vein or under your skin, you need to know the symptoms of a catheter-related infection (an infection where the needle enters your vein or skin). If you experience any of these effects near your intravenous catheter, tell your health care provider as soon as possible: